Tool Tips

A tool tip provides information about a component or area whenever the user moves the pointer to that area (and does not press a mouse button). These small rectangles of text can be used anywhere in your application.

A tool tip is commonly associated with an interface element, where it provides a short description of the component's function. If a component has a keyboard shortcut, the shortcut is automatically displayed in the tool tip.

You can also use tool tips with application graphics. A chart might have one tool tip that provides the name and size of the graphic or several tool tips that describe different areas of the graphic.

Figure 147 shows a tool tip on an area of the bar chart in the sample applet, Retirement Savings Calculator.

Figure 147 Tool Tip on an Area Within a Chart

You can adjust the timing of the tool tips in your application. By default, a tool tip appears after the user rests the pointer on the component or area for 750 milliseconds. It disappears after 4 seconds or when the user activates the component or moves the pointer away from the component.